Mullumbimby group seeks to establish human rights charter

Richard Hil

During her recent Ngara Institute annual lecture, former Australian Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs threw out an intriguing idea.

The good denizens of this region, she suggested, should consider putting together a Mullumbimby Charter of Human Rights, that could potentially lead the way to forming an Australian Charter of Human Rights, which as yet does not exist.

This idea seemed to fire the imagination of audience members and soon went viral on Facebook.

In no time at all, a meeting was called, with prospective participants encouraged to put in their two bob’s worth about what should be included in such a document.

Templates already exist and, of course, there will be many competing ideas out there about what should go into this seminal charter.

If you’re interested in trying to alter the course of Australian history, head to the Mullumbimby Civic Hall, 6-8:30pm, on Monday, July 16.

The conversation will be facilitated by local Barefoot Legal Clinic lawyer and ‘Alternative Prime Minister’ Mark Swivel. Special guest environmental lawyer and former CEO of the Environmental Defenders Office, Sue Higginson, will offer her draft version of a Northern Rivers Charter of Human Rights for consideration.

Entry is free, with tea/coffee by donation and hot soup available.

For more info go to ngarainstitute.org.au or the Ngara Institute Facebook page.

Richard Hil is convenor of the Ngara Institute